The presence of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, also known as ADHD, can cause a great deal of disruption in a youth’s life. Regardless if a young person is displaying more inattentive symptoms, hyperactive/impulsive symptoms, or a combination of the two, academic functioning, social interactions with peers and adults, as well as the ability to manage one’s behavior can be hindered and cause strife. Southwood Psychiatric Hospital, a leading provider of child and adolescent mental healthcare, understands the inner turmoil and consequences that can occur should a youth not receive treatment for this disorder. Parents and caregivers of these young people can be their child’s advocate by seeking the type of superior treatment offered at Southwood so that their child no longer has to endure the effects that ensue because of untreated ADHD. Let Southwood Psychiatric Hospital be the answer to all of your child’s mental health needs.

How to Help a Loved One

Helping a loved one get treatment for ADHD

In many cases, the symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder become apparent once a youth is in school. Oftentimes, school personnel, such a teachers or social workers, notice that young person is struggling to maintain focus or adhere to rules regarding behavior while in class. Additionally, parents and caregivers may notice that their child is displaying behavioral problems at home as these youth often have a difficult time following directions. As a caregiver or parent, there are ways of helping your child if it becomes evident that your child is suffering from symptoms synonymous with ADHD. Sometimes, school personnel may assess or recommend an assessment for this condition, however there are some additional things that you can do to help your child is ADHD is a factor in his or her life:

Consult with a mental health professional regarding the behavioral and emotional concerns that your child is displaying. A mental health professional can assist you in determining if ADHD is the cause of your child’s inability to function in a healthy and effective way.

Research viable options for care that specialize in the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and other mental health concerns that are unique to young people.

Schedule an assessment for treatment with a mental health professional and attend this meeting to provide any necessary information that could help determine if it is, in fact, ADHD that is causing your child to have difficulty at home, school, and in the community.

Be an active participant in your child’s treatment. By engaging in your child’s care, you will be able to learn more about ADHD, acquire tools for helping your child cope with symptoms of this disorder, and can show your child that you support him or her as he or she navigates the therapeutic process.

Once your child has received treatment for ADHD, he or she will be able to perform more efficiently at school, adhere to rules enforced at home, and avoid any potential harm that could ensue if the symptoms of ADHD were to remain untreated.

The symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder can worsen and carry over into adulthood if this disorder is not treated effectively when the symptoms become apparent. Young people with this condition may struggle to achieve in academic settings regardless if they have the intellectual capacity to learn and apply new information. Additionally, youth with untreated ADHD may have a greater susceptibility for interaction with the legal system as the poor impulse control that is cornerstone to this disorder may cause a young person to engage in risky and even criminal activity. Poor academic performance and contact with law enforcement could ultimately cause low self-esteem to develop, which could cause an overall decline in a youth’s sense of self-worth and mental health. Substance abuse is also common among children and adolescents with ADHD as some substances can dull the symptoms of this condition. Luckily, parents, caregivers, and youth with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder can have peace of mind in knowing that there are treatment options available that can greatly improve the lives of those grappling with this disruptive disorder.

As a foremost provider of child and adolescent mental healthcare, Southwood Psychiatric Hospital is devoted to providing the most effective mental health treatment, education, and assisted living services to youth who are battling emotional, behavioral, and cognitive concerns that are unique to young people. We believe that it is necessary to address and care for every need for each of our patients so that the most favorable treatment outcomes are the result. We believe all people are capable of change and possess the capacity to learn new skills and abilities that can serve them well for a lifetime. Based on this belief, we facilitate a therapeutic environment that is conducive to healing and change so that each youth entrusted into our care has the opportunity to gain insight about his or her own life and develop positive skills for healthy functioning.

The methods for care utilized at Southwood Psychiatric Hospital include cognitive-behavioral approaches that implement crisis and reality theories. We believe that these approaches, coupled with a structured setting, produce lasting healing and promote interpersonal growth. Cornerstone to the care supplied by Southwood Psychiatric Hospital is individualized treatment planning within a therapeutic milieu that incorporates these approaches within several therapeutic methods. We also encourage each patient’s family to be involved in the therapeutic process so that every child and adolescent reaps the benefits of having ample support while bettering him or herself.

The following treatment methods are those that are featured within the programming offered at Southwood Psychiatric Hospital, methods that are proven to improve the lives of the population we serve:

Medication management: When symptoms of a mental health condition, such as ADHD, or other co-occurring conditions require the use of pharmaceutical intervention in order to alleviate said symptoms, the use of medication may be incorporated into a youth’s treatment plan. The need for medication is assessed by a psychiatrist who can then prescribe, monitor, and adjust medication(s) if it is deemed necessary for a youth’s care. Additionally medical personnel, such as nurse practitioners and nurses, assist in the supervision of medication management so that the most effective dosage of a given medication produces the most favorable results. These professionals have contact with patients on a daily basis.

Individual therapy: Held every other day on the child and adolescent inpatient units, individual therapy sessions are afforded to patients so that one-on-one time with a mental health professional can be had in order to help each youth process emotions and monitor treatment goals while in our care. This is a time in which a young person can talk about his or her successes and explore areas for improvement.

Family therapy: The involvement of each patient’s family is integral to the treatment at Southwood Psychiatric Hospital. We facilitate family therapy sessions at least one to two times over the course of a youth’s treatment. During family sessions, youth, caregivers, and other loved ones can work through familial conflicts, improve communication, and learn how to work as a team in ensuring lasting recovery from mental health concerns, such as the presence of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms. Additionally, we put forth every effort to make sure each young person in our care is able to have contact with his or her family at least once a day.

Group therapy: A myriad of groups are part of the treatment feature in our inpatient programming. Groups allow patients to practice new skills that have been learned, receive additional support from our staff as well as peers, and learn new methods for managing emotions, behaviors, and thoughts. Groups are held four times a day and are led by Master’s level clinicians, nurses, and other experienced professionals. Topics covered within these groups include the following and are based on the cognitive-behavioral therapeutic approach:

Effective methods for coping

Teamwork and team building skills

The importance of and how to follow directions

Recreation groups

Stress management techniques

Social skill development

Anger management

Diagnosis education

Medication education

Experiential therapy: In order to encourage creative expression and stress the benefits of physical activity, Southwood Psychiatric Hospital incorporates numerous experiential therapies into its inpatient programming. The following are examples of the experiential therapies patients are able to participate in during the course of treatment:

Art

Music

Gym

Opportunities for recreation outside

Yoga

Continuing Care

Continuing care and levels of treatment for ADHD

While the programming offered within Southwood Psychiatric Hospital is focused on patients being able to achieve their treatment goals, we remain dedicated to helping those who come to our hospital for care in succeeding once they have completed their treatment. From the moment a youth is admitted into one of our programs, our staff begins formulating aftercare recommendations that will meet the child or adolescent’s needs. Inpatient treatment, by nature, is designed to stabilize a youth so that the therapeutic process can continue at a lower level of care. Therefore, we conduct an ongoing assessment of needs in order to ensure that referrals to another treatment provider will help a patient continue his or her success long after leaving Southwood Psychiatric Hospital.

Our staff of compassionate and caring professionals will work in collaboration with each youth and his or her family to establish how the youth will retain skills learned and which services in the community will refine and build upon those skills.

Whatever your child or adolescent’s mental health needs may be, let Southwood Psychiatric Hospital be your treatment provider of choice when trying to help your child achieve the life that he or she deserves.